Head-mounted display, program for controlling head-mounted display, and method of controlling head-mounted display

ABSTRACT

A head-mounted display comprising a display and a detector. The detector is configured to detect a direction of at least one of the head-mounted display and a line of vision. The display is configured to display an output image of an application, wherein the application is selected based on the direction being outside a range of a front direction.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2013/000557 filed on Feb. 1, 2013 and claims priority toJapanese Patent Application No. 2012-032647 filed on Feb. 17, 2012, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a head-mounted display that switchesand displays an output image of an application, a program forcontrolling the head-mounted display, and a method of controlling thehead-mounted display.

A known head-mounted display (hereinafter referred to as HMD) is mountedon the head of the user and displays an image on a display unit arrangedin front of the eyes of the user. The HMD includes a non-see-through HMDthat does not allow outside light to pass through a display unit andallows only a display image to be visually recognized by the user and asee-through HMD that allows outside light to pass through a display unitand allows a display image to be superimposed on a field of vision ofthe user. For example, PTL 1 below discloses a “visual apparatus” as thenon-see-through HMD.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1]

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. HEI 06-78248

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In general, an HMD such as the one described in PTL 1 above can beoperated by a controller. However, a person wearing an HMD has a limitedfield of vision in many cases, and an operation of the HMD by thecontroller causes a problem in usability.

In view of the above circumstances, it is desirable to provide ahead-mounted display excellent in usability, a program for controllingthe head-mounted display, and a method of controlling the head-mounteddisplay.

Solution to Problem

A head-mounted display comprising a display and a detector. The detectoris configured to detect a direction of at least one of the head-mounteddisplay and a line of vision. The display is configured to display anoutput image of an application, wherein the application is selectedbased on the direction being outside a range of a front direction.

Effect

As described above, according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, it is possible to provide a head-mounted display excellentin usability, a program for controlling the head-mounted display, and amethod of controlling the head-mounted display.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the appearance of a head-mounteddisplay according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of thehead-mounted display.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the head-mounteddisplay.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing directions of the head-mounteddisplay and examples of output images of displayed applications.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing directions of the head-mounteddisplay and an output image of an application displayed in a slidingmanner.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are schematic views showing applications displayed inmenu form in the head-mounted display.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of ahead-mounted display according to a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the head-mounteddisplay.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing transitions of applications to bedisplayed on the head-mounted display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

A head-mounted display (hereinafter referred to as MID) according to afirst embodiment will be described.

[Configuration of Head-Mounted Display]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the appearance of an HMD 100, andFIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of theHMD 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the HMD 100 has a mounting member 102, a displayunit 103, and a housing 104. The display unit 103 and the housing 104are supported by the mounting member 102. Further, the mounting member102 is equipped with earphones 121. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 104accommodates an information management unit 141, an application selector142, and a detector 143 therein.

The mounting member 102 is mounted on the head of the user and supportsthe display unit 103 in front of the eyes of the user. The mountingmember 102 is not particularly limited in shape and can be formed intoany shape other than a glass shape shown in FIG. 1 so long as it iscapable of supporting the display unit 103.

The display unit 103 can be a display capable of displaying an image infront of the eyes of the user and be a see-through display allowingoutside light to pass through. Examples of the see-through displayinclude a video see-through type that displays a surrounding imagecaptured by a camera thereon to allow visual recognition of surroundingsand include an optical see-through type that has light transmissivityper se. In this embodiment, any type of these see-through displays maybe used.

The display unit 103 is connected to the information management unit 141accommodated in the housing 104 and capable of displaying an imagegenerated by the information management unit 141 thereon. A detaileddescription of an image displayed on the display unit 103 will be givenlater.

The housing 104 accommodates the information management unit 141, theapplication selector 142, and the detector 143 therein. The informationmanagement unit 141 and the application selector 142 are realized by thecooperation between hardware such as a processor and a memory and aprogram. As will be described in detail later, the application selector142 selects an application based on an output from the detector 143, andthe information management unit 141 displays an image generated by aselected application on the display unit 103.

The detector 143 detects its direction (i.e., direction of the HMD 100)and supplies an output of the detection to the application selector 142via the information management unit 141. A transition of a direction ofthe HMD 100 takes place when the user wearing the HMD 100 changes adirection of the head or the body. Specifically, the detector 143 can bea motion sensor constituted of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, anda magnetic field sensor. In addition, the detector 143 is not limited toa motion sensor but can be a sensor capable of detecting a direction ofthe HMD 100, e.g., a sensor that detects a direction of the HMD 100 byperforming image processing on a surrounding image captured by a camera.

Note that in this embodiment, the information management unit 141, theapplication selector 142, and the detector 143 are accommodated in thehousing 104. However, they are not necessarily accommodated in thehousing 104. For example, the information management unit 141 and theapplication selector 142 may be incorporated in another informationprocessing apparatus (such as personal computer (PC) and smart phone)and connected to the detector 143 and the display unit 103 in a wired orwireless manner.

[Operations of Head-Mounted Display]

Operations of the MID 100 thus configured will be described. FIG. 3 is asequence diagram showing the operations of the HMD 100.

It is now assumed that an output image of an application A is displayedon the display unit 103 in a state where the user wears the HMD 100. Ifthe display unit 103 is a see-through display, the user may be in astate of seeing an outside through the display unit 103 because no imageis displayed on the display unit 103. A direction of the HMD 100 at thistime is defined as a “front direction.”

The information management unit 141 acquires a sensor value indicating adirection of the HMD 100 from the detector 143 every predetermined time.Then, the information management unit 141 supplies the sensor value tothe application selector 142.

The application selector 142 selects an application based on the sensorvalue. Specifically, if the sensor value is included in the range ofvalues indicating the “front direction,” the application selector 142selects the application A as it is. On the other hand, if the sensorvalue is not included in the range of the values indicating the “frontdirection” (i.e., “non-front direction”), the application selector 142can select another application (application B).

Next, the application selector 142 notifies the information managementunit 141 of the application B thus selected. Then, the informationmanagement unit 141 acquires a display image from the notifiedapplication B and displays the acquired display image on the displayunit 103.

From the viewpoint of the user, the above operations are performed asfollows. That is, when the user wears the HMD 100 and turns on power orperforms a predetermined input operation, a direction of the HMD 100 isdefined as the “front direction.” At this time, the output image of theapplication A is displayed on the display unit 103.

When the user turns the head in any direction, a transition of thedirection of the HMD 100 also takes place. At this time, if thedirection of the HMD 100 exceeds the range of the front direction, theoutput image of the application B is displayed on the display unit 103instead of the output image of the application A. For example, in astate where a moving-image reproduction application is set as theapplication A and a time display application is set as the applicationB, the user can confirm a time by changing a direction of the head anddirecting the HMD 100 in the non-front direction during reproduction ofa moving image. When the user restores the head in the front direction,the output image of the application A is displayed on the display unit103 again.

In addition, if the display unit 103 is a see-through display, no image(including the output image of the application A) may be displayed onthe display unit 103 of the HMD 100. In this case, the user is in astate of seeing an outside through the display unit 103, and then theuser can visually recognize the output image of the application B bychanging the direction of the HMD 100.

Examples of the application (application B) whose output image can bevisually recognized by changing the direction of the HMD 100 include thefollowing applications. That is, such applications include those fordisplaying weather, a clock, a one-sentence news, a stock price, aforeign exchange, a schedule, a calendar, a photo frame, an auctionprice, a frequently searched word, a map and information for a currentlocation, etc.

In the above description, the output image of the application B isdisplayed on the display unit 103 when the transition of the directionof the MID 100 takes place from the front direction to the non-frontdirection. However, an output image of a different application may alsobe displayed on the display unit 103 for each of transition directionsof the HMD 100 to another non-front direction. FIG. 4 is a schematicview showing directions of the HMD 100 and examples of output images ofdisplayed applications.

The application selector 142 can select a different application for eachof the transition directions of the HMD 100. For example, theapplication selector 142 can select the application B when the HMD 100is directed from the front direction to a right-hand direction, selectan application C when the HMD 100 is directed from the front directionto a left-hand direction, and select an application D when the HMD 100is directed from the front direction to an upper direction. Thus, theuser can see output images of different applications by directing thehead in various directions.

In addition, in the above description, the output image of theapplication B or the like is displayed on the display unit 103 if thedirection of the MID 100 exceeds the range of the front direction.However, an effect may be produced at this time. FIG. 5 is a schematicview showing directions of the HMD 100 and an example of an imagedisplayed on the display unit 103.

When the application B is selected by the application selector 142, theinformation management unit 141 can display the output image of theapplication B from the outside of a screen in a sliding manner dependingon a degree of the direction of the HMD 100. Thus, the output image ofthe application B is gradually displayed depending on a turning degreeof the head of the user, and the user can feel as if he/she werenaturally accessing the information.

Similarly, when the HMD 100 is restored in the front direction, theinformation management unit 141 can display the output image of theapplication B outside of the screen in a sliding manner. In addition,once the direction of the HMD 100 exceeds the range of the frontdirection, the information management unit 141 may display the outputimage of the application B from the outside of the screen in a slidingmanner regardless of a degree of the direction of the HMD 100.

Moreover, in the above description, an application to be displayed onthe display unit 103 is selected depending on a direction of the HMD100. However, the user may select an application from a menu. FIGS. 6Ato 6C are schematic views showing an example of selecting an applicationfrom a menu.

When the HMD 100 is directed from the front direction to a predetermineddirection (e.g., upper direction) as shown in FIG. 6A, a plurality ofapplications are displayed (displayed in menu form) side by side on thedisplay unit 103. When the user tilts the head to incline the HMD 100,the applications displayed in menu form are displayed in a slidingmanner as shown in FIG. 6B. The user can intuitively select one of theapplications with a feeling as if a menu were slid with gravity.Alternatively, when the HMD 100 is directed in a predetermined direction(e.g., right-hand direction), the applications may be displayed in asliding manner. When the user restores the head to direct the HMD 100 inthe front direction, one of the applications is selected as shown inFIG. 6C.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can switch anapplication to be displayed on the display unit 103 by turning the headand changing a direction of the HMD 100. Therefore, it can be said thatthe HMD 100 is excellent in usability.

Second Embodiment

A head-mounted display (HMD) according to a second embodiment will bedescribed. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those of thefirst embodiment will be denoted by the same signs, and descriptionsthereof will be omitted.

[Configuration of Head-Mounted Display]

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an MID200 according to the second embodiment. Note that the HMD 200 can havethe same appearance as that of the HMD 100 according to the firstembodiment.

The HMD 200 has a timer 244 besides an information management unit 241,an application selector 242, and a detector 243. The timer 244 isconnected to the information management unit 241. Upon receiving arequest from the information management unit 241, the timer 244 startscounting a time and returns a timer value to the information managementunit 241.

In the above first embodiment, the application selector 142 selects anapplication based on a sensor value output from the detector 143. Inthis embodiment, however, the application selector 242 selects anapplication based on a timer value output from the timer 244 besides asensor value.

The information management unit 241, the application selector 242, andthe timer 244 may be accommodated in a housing as in the firstembodiment or may be incorporated in another information processingapparatus (such as PC and smart phone) and connected to the detector 243and a display unit 203 in a wired or wireless manner.

[Operations of Head-Mounted Display]

Operations of the HMD 200 thus configured will be described. FIG. 8 is asequence diagram showing the operations of the HMD 200.

It is now assumed that an output image of an application A is displayedon the display unit 203 in a state where the user wears the HMD 200. Ifthe display unit 203 is a see-through display, the user may be in astate of seeing an outside through the display unit 203 because no imageis displayed on the display unit 203. A direction of the HMD 200 at thistime is defined as a “front direction.”

The information management unit 241 acquires a sensor value indicating adirection of the HMD 200 from the detector 243 every predetermined time.Then, the information management unit 241 supplies the sensor value tothe application selector 242. In addition, the application selector 242acquires a timer value from the timer 244.

The application selector 242 selects an application based on the sensorvalue and the timer value. Specifically, if the sensor value is notincluded in the range of values indicating the “front direction”(“non-front direction”), the application selector 242 selects anotherapplication (application B). On the other hand, if the sensor value isincluded in the range of the values indicating the “front direction,”the application selector 242 refers to the timer value. Then, theapplication selector 242 selects the application B if the timer valueexceeds a predetermined time or selects the application A if the timervalue is less than or equal to the predetermined time.

Simultaneously with the selection of the application, the applicationselector 242 instructs the timer 244 to start counting a time. The timervalue that the application selector 242 acquires from the timer 244 is atime started to be counted at this time. That is, if the application Bis selected over the predetermined time, the application selector 242selects the application B even if the sensor value is included in therange of the values indicating the “front direction.”

In other words, if the HMD 200 is directed in the non-front directionand a time during which the application B is selected by the applicationselector 242 continues for the predetermined time, the application B isselected (fixed) instead of the application A even if the HMD 200 isrestored in the front direction. This is because, if the predeterminedtime elapses in a state where the HMD 200 is directed in the non-frontdirection, it can be determined that the user is carefully seeing anoutput image of the application B.

On the other hand, if the HMD 200 is directed in the front direction andthe predetermined time elapses in a state where the application B isfixed, fixation of the application B is released and the originalapplication A is selected.

Next, the application selector 242 notifies the information managementunit 241 of the application B thus selected. Then, the informationmanagement unit 241 acquires a display image from the notifiedapplication B and displays the acquired display image on the displayunit 203.

From the viewpoint of the user, the above operations are performed asfollows. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing transitions of applicationsto be displayed on the display unit 203. When the user wears the HMD 200and turns on power or performs a predetermined input operation, adirection of the HMD 200 is defined as the “front direction.” At thistime, the output image of the application A is displayed on the displayunit 203 (T1). If the user keeps the head in the front direction, theoutput image of the application A is continuously displayed (T1→T1).

When the user turns the head in any direction, a transition of thedirection of the HMD 200 also takes place. At this time, if thedirection of the HMD 200 exceeds the range of the front direction(“non-front direction”), the output image of the application B isdisplayed on the display unit 203 instead of the output image of theapplication A (T1→T2). If the HMD 200 is restored in the front directionbefore a predetermined time elapses, the display image of theapplication A is displayed again (T2→T1).

Here, if the user directs the HMD 200 in the non-front direction overthe predetermined time (stop time of the timer), the application B isfixed as described above (T2→T3). If the predetermined time (stop timeof the timer) elapses in this state, the output image of the applicationA is displayed on the display unit 203 instead of the output image ofthe application B (T3→T5). On the other hand, if the HMD 200 is directedin the front direction before the predetermined time elapses, the outputimage of the application B is continuously displayed on the display unit203 because the application B is fixed (T3→T4).

If the predetermined time (stop time of the timer) elapses in a statewhere the HMD 200 is directed in the front direction, the fixation ofthe application B is released and the output image of the application Ais displayed on the display unit 203 again (T4→T1). Then, when the HMD200 is directed in another non-front direction as in the firstembodiment, an output image of another application (application C or thelike) is displayed on the display unit 203 (T2→T2, T4→T2).

Examples of the application (application B) whose output image can bevisually recognized by changing the direction of the HMD 200 include thesame applications as those of the first embodiment. That is, suchapplications include those for displaying weather, a clock, aone-sentence news, a stock price, a foreign exchange, a schedule, acalendar, a photo frame, an auction price, a most frequently searchedword, a map and information for a current location, etc.

In this embodiment, if the predetermined time elapses in a state wherethe HMD 200 is directed in the non-front direction, an application beingdisplayed is fixed. Accordingly, this embodiment is excellent inusability if the user wishes to carefully see an output image of theapplication. Note that as in the first embodiment, selection ofapplications displayed in menu form, a slide effect, or the like mayalso be applied to this embodiment.

(Modifications)

In the above first and second embodiments, the selection of anapplication is performed based on a direction of the HMD. However,information on a line of vision of the user may also be used.Specifically, the application selector can use a line of vision of theuser as a gesture at the fixation and the release of an applicationdescribed above. Thus, it becomes possible to easily reflect anintension of the user on the selection of an application. Recognition ofa line of vision of the user can be made by performing, for example,image processing on an image of the eyeballs of the user captured by acamera provided in the HMD.

In addition, position information on the HMD may also be used for theselection of an application. Specifically, when detecting that the HMDis moving at a constant speed or faster (i.e., the user is moving), theapplication selector stops selecting an application and can display noimage on the display unit. Thus, it becomes possible to prevent the userfrom being put in danger during movement. Position information may beacquired from, for example, an output of a GPS (Global PositioningSystem) and an acceleration sensor provided in the HMD.

In the above second embodiment, the fixation and the release of anapplication are determined by a stop time counted by the timer. However,a stop time of the timer may be determined depending on a transitionspeed of a direction of the HMD. In addition, a stop time of the timermay be different for each application.

Moreover, the fixation and the release of an application may beperformed by an input operation unit (such as button and touch sensor)provided in the HMD. Furthermore, the fixation and the release of anapplication may also be performed by a gesture made when the user movesthe head. Specifically, for example, an application is fixed when theuser nods the head, fixed when the user further turns up the head, fixedwhen the user tilts the head, released when the user quickly shakes thehead, not released when the user slowly shakes the head, and releasedwhen the user moves the head in a state where the head is fixed in thefront direction.

Furthermore, the fixation and the release may be performed based oninformation on a line of vision of the user. That is, the fixation andthe release are performed by a gesture based on a line of vision of theuser or the like. For example, an application is fixed or released whenthe user closes the eyes for a while, fixed when the user returns thehead with the eyes closed, fixed when the user adjusts the focus of theeyes, and released when the user takes the eyes out of focus.

Furthermore, the fixation or the release may be performed by a physicalaction of the user such as flicking off with the hand, biting, stamping,and jumping. Furthermore, the fixation or the release may be performeddepending on outside circumstances. For example, an application isreleased when an automobile or a person turns up in front of the user.

(Applications)

Applications of the HMD according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be described.

[Dictionary]

When the HMD is directed in the front direction in a state where theuser wearing the HMD reads a sentence of a document or the like, noimage is displayed on the display unit (see-through display). However, acamera provided in the HMD performs character recognition to extractwords in the sentence. When the HMD is directed in the non-frontdirection, output results (such as meanings and translations of thewords) of a dictionary application are displayed on the display unit.Words at positions carefully seen by the user may be extracted incombination with a line of vision of the user.

[Subtitles]

When the HMD is directed in the front direction, a moving image such asa movie is displayed on the display unit. Then, when the HMD is directedin the non-front direction, subtitles corresponding to a reproducedscene of the moving image are displayed. Note that when the HMD isdirected in the front direction, no image may be displayed on thedisplay unit (see-through display) such that the user watches an actualmoving image through the display unit. In this case, subtitles areacquired by image recognition or via a network.

[Learning]

When the HMD is directed in the front direction, a “question” isdisplayed on the display unit. Then, when the HMD is directed in thenon-front direction, an answer to the question or a hint for thequestion is displayed on the display unit. For example, it is possibleto display the hint for the question when the HMD is directed from thefront direction to the upper direction and display the answer to thequestion when the HMD is directed from the front direction to the lowerdirection.

[Notification]

When the HMD is directed in the front direction, no image is displayedon the display unit or an output image of any application is displayedthereon. With reception of an electronic mail (e-mail) or a socialnetworking service (SNS), notification of the reception is displayed onthe display unit. When the user directs the HMD in the non-frontdirection, a message of the E-mail or the SNS is displayed on thedisplay unit. The message may be displayed only at the end of thedisplay unit rather than being displayed on the entirety of the displayunit. Further, when no new message is arrived, no change may be made inthe display of the display unit even if the HMD is directed in thenon-front direction.

[Rear-Side Recognition]

When the HMD is directed in the front direction, the user can visuallyrecognize the front side through the display unit (see-through display)because no image is displayed on the display unit. When the HMD isdirected in the non-front direction, a rear-side image captured by aprovided camera is displayed on the display unit. The rear-side imagemay be a highlighted image of a moving object obtained by motionrecognition or may be a thermographic image. In addition, each of theseimages may be displayed depending on a transition direction from thefront direction to the non-front direction.

[Work Assistance]

When the HMD is directed in the front direction, the user can visuallyrecognize the front side through the display unit (see-through display)because no image is displayed on the display unit. When the HMD isdirected in the non-front direction, a work procedure (such as recipe)is displayed on the display unit. Because the work procedure is notdisplayed in a state where the HMD is directed in the front direction, auser's work is not prevented.

[Other]

A display range of a thesaurus (diagram where words are arranged basedon their relationships) is moved depending on a direction of the HMDsuch that the user is allowed to easily search for related words. Inaddition, a display range of a star map is moved depending on adirection of the HMD such that the user is allowed to perform pseudoastronomic observation. Moreover, it is also possible to provide a gamewhere the user inclines a virtual game plate depending on a direction ofthe HMD.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above respectiveembodiments but may be modified without departing from the sprit of thepresent disclosure.

Note that the present disclosure may also employ the followingconfigurations.

(1)

A head-mounted display comprising:

-   a detector configured to detect a direction of at least one of the    head-mounted display and a line of vision; and-   a display configured to display an output image of an application,-   wherein the application is selected based on the direction being    outside a range of a front direction.    (2)

A head-mounted display according to (2), wherein the range of the frontdirection is set at least large enough to encompass the display when thehead-mounted display is facing the front direction.

(3)

A head-mounted display according to (1) or (2), wherein the range of thefront direction is set at least large enough to encompass a part of thedisplay when the head-mounted display is facing the front direction.

(4)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein thepart of the display displays the output image of the application.

(5)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein thefront direction is set as a direction of the head-mounted display whenthe head-mounted display is powered on or when a predetermined inputoperation is performed.

(6)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein thedisplay is a see-through display.

(7)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (6), furthercomprising:

-   a processor; and-   a memory device storing instructions which when executed by the    processor, causes the processor to select the application.    (8)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein thedetector is configured to detect the direction of the head-mounteddisplay.

(9)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein afirst application is selected based on the direction being a firstdirection outside the range of the front direction, and a secondapplication is selected based on the direction being a second directionoutside the range of the front direction, and wherein the firstapplication and second application are different.

(10)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein theapplication is selected based on the direction and a timer value.

(11)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein afirst application is selected based on the direction moving from insidethe range of the front direction to outside the range of the frontdirection, and the display is configured to display an output image ofthe first application.

(12)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein asecond application is selected or no application is selected based onthe direction moving from outside the range of the front direction toinside the range of the front direction, and the display is configuredto display an output image of the second application or to display nooutput image.

(13)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein aselection of the first application is fixed based on a timer value andthe direction moving from outside the range of the front direction toinside the range of the front direction, and the display is configuredto continue to display the output image of the first application.

(14)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein afixation of the first application is released based on a timer value.

(15)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein theapplication is selected based on an output of at least one of a GPS andan acceleration sensor included in the head-mounted display.

(16)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein theoutput image of the application is at least one of text, a moving image,and a still image.

(17)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein thedisplay displays a plurality of applications in menu form.

(18)

A head-mounted display according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein theplurality of applications displayed in menu form are displayed in asliding manner based on the direction detected by the detector.

(19)

A method of operating a head-mounted display comprising:

-   detecting a direction of at least one of the head-mounted display    and a line of vision;-   selecting an application based on the direction being outside a    range of a front direction; and-   displaying an output image of the application.    (20)

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computerprogram for causing a head-mounted display to:

-   detect a direction of at least one of the head-mounted display and a    line of vision; select an application based on the direction being    outside a range of a front direction; and-   display an output image of the application.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   102 mounting member-   103, 203 display unit-   104 housing-   121 earphone-   141, 241 information management unit-   142, 242 application selector-   143, 243 detector-   244 timer-   100, 200 HMD

The invention claimed is:
 1. A head-mounted display comprising: adetector configured to detect a direction of at least one of thehead-mounted display or a line of vision; and a display configured todisplay a plurality of applications, wherein the plurality ofapplications are displayed side by side as output images when thedirection is changed to a predetermined direction different from a frontdirection, and wherein at least one of the applications is selected whenthe direction is consistent with the front direction.
 2. Thehead-mounted display according to claim 1, wherein a range of the frontdirection is set at least large enough to encompass the display when thehead-mounted display is facing the front direction.
 3. The head-mounteddisplay according to claim 1, wherein a range of the front direction isset at least large enough to encompass a part of the display when thehead-mounted display is facing the front direction.
 4. The head-mounteddisplay according to claim 3, wherein the part of the display isconfigured to display the output images of the applications.
 5. Thehead-mounted display according to claim 1, wherein the front directionis set as a direction of the head-mounted display when the head-mounteddisplay is powered on or when a predetermined input operation isperformed.
 6. The head-mounted display according to claim 1, wherein thedisplay is a see-through display.
 7. The head-mounted display accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a processor; and a memory device storinginstructions which when executed by the processor, causes the processorto select the application.
 8. The head-mounted display according toclaim 1, wherein the detector is configured to detect the direction ofthe head-mounted display.
 9. The head-mounted display according to claim1, wherein a first application is selected based on the direction beinga first direction outside the range of the front direction, and a secondapplication is selected based on the direction being a second directionoutside the range of the front direction, and wherein the firstapplication and second application are different.
 10. The head-mounteddisplay according to claim 1, wherein the at lease one of theapplications is selected based on the direction and a timer value. 11.The head-mounted display according to claim 1, wherein a firstapplication is selected based on the direction moving from inside arange of the front direction to outside the range of the frontdirection, and the display is configured to display an output image ofthe first application.
 12. The head-mounted display according to claim11, wherein a second application is selected or no application isselected based on the direction moving from outside the range of thefront direction to inside the range of the front direction, and thedisplay is configured to display an output image of the secondapplication or to display no output image.
 13. The head-mounted displayaccording to claim 11, wherein a selection of the first application isfixed based on a timer value and the direction moving from outside therange of the front direction to inside the range of the front direction,and the display is configured to continue to display the output image ofthe first application.
 14. The head-mounted display according to claim13, wherein a fixation of the first application is released based on atimer value.
 15. The head-mounted display according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one of the applications is selected based on an output ofat least one of a GPS and an acceleration sensor included in thehead-mounted display.
 16. The head-mounted display according to claim 1,wherein the output images of the applications include at least one oftext, a moving image, and a still image.
 17. The head-mounted displayaccording to claim 1, wherein the display is configured to display aplurality of applications in menu form.
 18. The head-mounted displayaccording to claim 17, wherein the plurality of applications displayedin menu form are displayed in a sliding manner based on the directiondetected by the detector.
 19. A method of operating a head-mounteddisplay comprising: detecting a direction of at least one of thehead-mounted display and a line of vision; displaying a plurality ofapplications side by side as output images when the direction is changedto a predetermined direction different from a front direction, andselecting at least one of the applications when the direction isconsistent with the front direction.
 20. A non-transitory computerreadable storage medium storing a computer program for causing ahead-mounted display to: detect a direction of at least one of thehead-mounted display and a line of vision; display a plurality ofapplications side by side as output images when the direction is changedto a predetermined direction different from a front direction, andselect at least one of the applications when the direction is consistentwith the front direction.